In December 2012 the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) were contacted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with a request to provide assistance in an on-going investigation being run in America. As a result of close cooperation with agents from the USFWS, Investigative Support Officers from the NWCU visited a number of reptile keepers and traders within the UK in order to secure evidence relating to the investigation that was being carried out in America.

Thanks to the professional and dedicated work carried out by the USFWS, Gerard Kruse, a 42 year old reptile trader of Florida, appeared at Brooklyn Federal Court in New York on 26th January 2016, where he pleaded guilty to various offences relating to the taking and sale of various wild snakes including a number of Mountain Kingsnakes which were sold to buyers in the UK.

Kruse had traded illegally in dozens of snakes between 2009 and 2011. Evidence showed that he had also shipped venomous snakes through the mail, which put postal workers at significant risk. Kruse had been accused of poaching snakes from the wild at Pine Barrens, Long Island, but his lawyer denied that that had been the case, he claimed that Kruse had merely been searching for snakes.

KRUSE was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay a $4,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Account and a $1,000 payment to New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, he will also complete 400 hours of community service. The USFWS were also able to restrict his future access to reptiles, his online presence, and attendance at reptile shows.

Following the case Special Agent Paul Montuori from the USFWS thanked the UK NWCU for their assistance. He said, “This case was truly a team effort and I wanted to thank each of you for your contributions”.

This case highlights the close working relationship that the NWCU has with enforcement agencies across the world.